'I had reincarnated?! How is this possible!!"
Harold inspected his new memories and couldn't help but frown in disgust.
'What kind of fate is this?!'
His new body was called Lock Axe, an orphan who had just turned fourteen in the recent month of February. He was currently a junior apprentice studying in the city's wizard academy.
And the one who had woken him up was his guardian, whose name was Owen Coal.
Owen was the owner of the orphanage that he grew up in. He was also the Headmaster of the academy.
"Old Man …" Lock said and faced Owen who was now smirking with an annoyed expression, angry marks appearing on his wide forehead.
Owen showed his palms and a small red magic circle formed as a small will o wisp formed wildly.
"!!!" Seeing this, Lock jerked and quickly got up. and he prepared for battle.
Not in the wildest of imaginations of Owen, Lock's body went to fighting mode and thrown out a punch, but it wasn't his current body's regular punch. It now contained the precise angle and right amount of force coming from it—a technique honed from his private tutoring as a prince.
Seeing the punch in slow motion, Owen could not believe it.
'When did he get to have a decent form?' he thought, but deflected the boy's attack with his right palms easily.
Lock's punch was firm. However, it felt more like a baby punch to Owen.
"..."
'What kind of body is this? It's 100 times weaker than my previous body!' Lock obviously exaggerated that, but he was now weak, the weakest he ever been.
After blocking his punch, Owen stood there, unmoved. He was like a statue, unamazed as he waited for the next attack. He was surprised himself in this development. The boy already surprised him, but not giving up was the thing he was most surprised at when it concerned the boy.
'Did you think I'm done? Take this to your mouth!'
Lock spun and carried the momentum he had as he quickly positioned himself properly and launched a roundhouse kick towards Owen.
Buog!
The shockwaves from the kick were felt a little by the old man, but it only caused his heart to ache.
'Sigh, this power! I do not how he suddenly became strong, but who would know he ncould kick me without even hesitating?' he thought as his eyes finally narrowed, suddenly turning slightly serious.
Owen was enjoying this development he had seen from his useless grandson. But he felt no mood to play. He calmly tightened his grab on Lock's ankle and slammed the boy's inferior body to the floor—to the place where his own vomit had remained untouched.
"My God! You're getting uncontrollable." Owen just commented.
Lock just smiled, surprising Owen again. But before he could speak, Lock spoke again. "You really are great! As expected of a current S-rank Wizard and a former Imperial Wizard Court Agent."
"I don't feel good with you praising me. Clean yourself up and get ready to put on your uniform. If you actually still care about us, go to the hall. I won't force you to come now. It's your choice."
As soon as he heard Owen's words, Lock realized he was now in another body as he thought of his new memories. He was shocked, and his eyes widened.
Owen noticed his facial expression, and he thought it appeared like his words and efforts went through him.
"If you still want to graduate and prepare to become a senior apprentice next year, you can just go. If not…" Old man Owen did not finish his words and sighed.
Lock was well-aware of what he was talking about. Today was Lock Axe's graduation as a junior apprentice.
There were two ranks of wizards a student could have. Being a junior apprentice, which was at the age of 15 below, and a senior apprentice which should be available to him when he turns seventeen.
But Rid was not listening. He was in complete shock at where he had reincarnated.
'Shit…'
'Borderlands…'
It is the vastest place in the world and the center of the frontlines between the three Great Wizard Kingdoms. It is no exaggeration to say that the 'borderlands' is the most dangerous place in the world.
People would normally not choose to live there. Every kingdom banned their citizens from entry to the place. The Human Council also labeled it as a restricted place and all media mainstreamed that front.
With no permission by the Human Council, no one could enter. If anyone dared to enter still, law would punish them appropriately .
Lock now had realized that he was dead. It was the only possible truth he can deduce.
At the same time, he thought it was ironic that he used to live in the wealthiest place in the Continent but now he was living in the poorest place in existence.
"There were really people living here?" He thought out loud.
"What nonsense are you blurting out again?" Old Man Owen said, "Clean your vomit instead and wake up. How come you even think of drinking alcohol at your age?"
Lock felt his insides burning and when he noticed the bottles of alcohol that fell on his bed, he knew for sure that the original Lock had drunk last night. He never had tried drinking before but he heard it was a pleasant feeling. It removes stress and makes people feel good to the point of ecstasy.
But then, he never realized he would experience the bad aftermath of such ecstasy first, before he could taste the so-called 'refreshing feeling.
He groaned painfully and wondered why there was not even a curfew in the place. From what he can remember, Lock Axe was only 14 years old and the international average legal drinking age was 18. It seemed like norms and laws do not apply in the borderlands.
Lock tried hard to control the hangover and finally spoke politely, "Ok, ok. I'm going to get ready for the event. Don't you need to go too? It's not good to be late as the Headmaster."
Owen noticed the politeness in the young boy's voice and gave him a strange stare. Lock noticed the man's balance and positioning and it seemed like he was getting ready to apprehend him in case he made a run for it.
"I won't run. I changed already." He reassured. He knew very well that every time, Lock Axe would try to run away.
Lock lifted himself up and fixed his bed.
Old Man Owen eyed the room and the stench of alcohol and smelly socks was in the air like a wet cape. He walked towards the window, swayed the curtains to the side, and opened it.
Immediately after, the gentle breeze blew over and the morning sun immediately painted the room with light, and melted the stench.
With a loud bang, Owen left the room/.
"Clean the room. You can leave the doodles on the wall. You won't clean anyway," were his last sentences.
After that, Lock glanced around and found the plenty vandalism the original Lock made.
"I have been a real headache!" He laughed loudly.